It’s Carrington Stakes Day at Randwick this Saturday and there are 10 quality races scheduled on the program.
Our best bets for the entire meeting can be found below.
Preview brought to you by Neds. Learn more about Neds HERE.
Race 1: Petaluma Handicap (1100m) – 11:25am
Tip: No. 5 Flying Crazy
There are some promising three-year-olds engaged here and there really is a case to be made for most.
I’m with Flying Crazy on top in his return to the races.
The son of Flying Artie won on debut over 1100m on the Kensington track last August before wrapping up his maiden prep four lengths off Anamoe in the Run to the Rose.
The form out of that race speaks for itself, and he did look in good order at a recent Rosehill trial.
Not sure how he goes on a potentially rain-affected track, but drawn low and with Hugh Bowman steering, he’s a major player.
Race 2: Heineken 3 Handicap (1000m) – 12:00pm
Tip: No. 4 Northumbria
Not a race I’m overly keen on with a few facing the starter for the first time.
That said, I do think Northumbria is worth forgiving on her debut run when dead last at Warwick Farm last month.
She missed the start and was interfered with down the straight, but her form at the trials on either side has been impressive to say the least. Kerrin McEvoy gets a go now and the pair should look to box-seat.
Race 3: Highway Handicap (1100m) – 12:35pm
Tip: No. 4 Danzadel
Wide-open race with plenty of surprises likely in store.
You never quite know what you’re going to get with Danzadel, but this does look a winnable race for her if she can stay calm in the mounting yard.
She presents fitter second-up from a spell, and the step back to 1100m looks ideal for her despite the awkward draw.
Tommy Berry knows her inside and out and her soft track form gets a big tick.
Race 4: City Tattersall’s Group Handicap (1600m) – 1:10pm
Tip: No. 4 Meg
Quite like the look of the Matthew Dale-trained Meg at a price.
The Sebring mare was a winner second-up last month at Canberra where she had absolutely no luck in transit out wide. She made up enormous ground to run last to first, and that performance suggested she’s wanting further now.
Luck needs to go her way from the gate, but considering she’s found the money in three of her four attempts over the mile, she’s worth rolling the dice on.
Race 5: Midway Handicap (1800m) – 1:45pm
Tip: No. 2 Jungle Book
This looks the right race for Jungle Book, who strips fitter for three runs back.
The six-year-old son of Animal Kingdom was a clear second to Travest at Warwick Farm last week over the mile where he loomed at one point.
He saved his best for last that day, and out to a journey he’s won over previously, I’m happy to have him on top.
A wet track always works in his favour, and if Jason Collett can ride him just like he did last week, they’ll be tough to beat.
Race 6: Precise Air Handicap (2000m) – 2:20pm
Tip: No. 4 Toomuchtobear
Hard to get away from the Chris Waller-trained Toomuchtobear here.
The son of Press Statement was the beaten favourite second-up on the Kensington track to start the month where he over-raced a little in the early stages.
That cost him down the straight, but out to a distance he’s won over previously, he’s definitely capable of bouncing back, especially with a win to his name third-up in his previous preparation.
The four-year-old has missed a place only once from eight starts and I’m happy to have him on top.
Race 7: Acy Securities Handicap (1100m) – 3:00pm
Tip: No. 7 Salina Dreaming, No. 3 Shadow Crush E/W
The trial form of Salina Dreaming leading in is only plain, but she has to respected with three wins from four starts to her name first-up.
One of those came over the track and trip two years ago, and while she hasn’t done much racing recently, she’s the rightful favourite after drawing to get the gun run under Hugh Bowman.
Also keen to have something each way on Shadow Crush if the track plays to his liking.
His recent form doesn’t read all that well, but he did run a slick time on Boxing Day over further behind Amimate. Back on a rain-affected track should help his cause.
Race 8: The Agency Carrington Stakes (1400m) – 3:40pm
Tip: No. 9 True Detective
True Detective looks like he might be close to finally putting it all together this prep.
He returned a narrow winner at Rosehill two weeks ago over 1200m, and that form has been franked with the second place-getter Tycoonist going on to run second to Isotope in last week’s Magic Millions Sprint.
The son of Shamus Award has placed in three starts over 1400m, so the rise in trip is no real issue, while he’s also drawn to get a lovely run up on the speed under Tommy Berry.
He’s burned punters plenty in the past, but we’re getting a nice price for a horse that loves some sting out of the ground.
Race 9: Ranvet Handicap (1600m) – 4:20pm
Tip: No. 6 Opacity
Opacity is worth forgiving on his first-up run when last behind Saturday’s rival Kingsheir over 1400m.
He got away awkwardly that day and ran into some traffic early on before settling midfield. He lacked any real kick in the finish, but the blinkers going on should really help his cause.
The son of Ocean Park is a three-time winner over the mile and has done some of his best racing second-up from a spell, so I expect him to bounce back.
Race 10: Bowerman’s Handicap (1400m) – 5:00pm
Tip: No. 10 Waihaha Falls
Waihaha Falls is a dual acceptor, but if he lines up here he should be tough to beat.
John O’Shea’s gelding was a winner two back at Rosehill over 1500m and then finished just over a length off Nothinsweetaboutme over the mile on Boxing Day after racing wide.
I like the fact he’s been kept fresh with a trial in between starts, and it’s worth taking note that the blinkers go on for the first time.